(Statement from ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act)
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act will continue to add to our country’s economic uncertainty. The new law was ill advised from the beginning. It does little to rein in health care costs while imposing many untenable policies that will harm bakers. The ‘Cadillac’ tax, convoluted fines for employees participating in exchanges, and new mandated levels of insurance essentially tell bakers to automate, hold off on hiring and growing their business.
“ABA strongly supports the need to reform the current health care system. Costs are spiraling out of control, and unless these costs are contained, the baking industry will be forced to pass along these costs to an already stressed consumer.
“Congress should pass common sense reforms to our current system. Maintaining critical ERISA preemptions, addressing medical liability reform, and increasing – rather than reducing – the use of Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts will shore up the industry's expectations in what health benefits bakers will be able to offer to best fit their company's and employees' needs.
“Until Congress and the President pass meaningful reforms that address the costs of providing health care, bakers and all other businesses will continue to face escalating health care costs, dampening job growth and business expansion. ABA respects the Supreme Court’s process and urges Congress to correct many of the failings within the Affordable Care Act.”
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 633,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association